Guide Note

Hanky Panky is a line of women's lingerie and sleepwear founded by Gale Epstein and Lida Orzeck. For over 25 years the company has evolved the look of women's lingerie from camisoles to g-strings to lacy tops.

Fast Facts

1. Founded: 1970's
2. Homebase: New York City
3. Rated most comfortable lingerie by New Yorker magazine
4. Part of the permanent costume collection at the Museum of Art in New York City
5. Company was inspired from a bra and panty set made from hand-embroidered Chinese handkerchiefs.

History of Lingerie

Before lingerie became a part of visual stimuli, it's purpose in the first half of the 20th century was to aid the shape of the women's body and help create modesty. It wasn't until the late 1940s that a small shop on Hollywood Boulevard called Frederick's of Hollywood would revolutionize the lingerie industry bringing bras, panties and corsets to the forefront of women's wardrobes.